Methods for carbonate surface coating and related bone void filler compositions

Abstract

Bone void filler compositions and methods for preparation to provide substrates with carbonate surface coatings to promote bone growth.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of using comparative calcium salt solubilities to prepare a bone void filler substrate comprising calcium particles thereon, said method comprising:
 providing a carbonatable calcium salt precursor component having a water solubility; 
 applying said precursor component to a bone void filler substrate comprising a material selected from calcium salts, collagen, natural mammalian bone, polymers, metals and combinations thereof; and 
 treating said applied precursor component with a transformation component selected from alkali metal hydroxide and alkali metal carbonate components to provide on said substrate a calcium component having a water solubility less than said precursor component water solubility, said calcium component selected from calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate particles. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said calcium salt precursor component is selected from calcium chloride, calcium oxide and calcium acetate. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said transformation component is selected from sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said calcium component is calcium hydroxide, and said transformation component is sodium hydroxide, said calcium component having a water solubility less than said transformation component water solubility. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  comprising contacting said substrate with a carbon dioxide source, optionally in the presence of water, said carbon dioxide source selected from gaseous carbon dioxide, liquid supercritical carbon dioxide and sodium carbonate, to provide calcium carbonate particles thereon. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the presence of water is selected from atmospheric water vapor about said substrate and water applied to said substrate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein said carbonatable calcium precursor component is provided as an aqueous solution thereof, and application of said carbonatable calcium precursor component is selected from dipping, soaking and spraying said substrate therewith. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said substrate is applied to a mammalian bone void.